Crime figures down but concerns remain

A SIGNIFICANT drop in crime figures has been welcomed on the Southside.

However, there have been calls for action to address serious concerns regarding one area in Tallaght.

Dublin South West TD Eamonn Maloney (Lab) said the fall in overall crime figures, as reported in the Irish Examiner, was to be applauded.

“The report details the fall in assaults, robberies, theft, drug and public order offences, and organised crime,

? he said.

“Any decrease in crime is to be welcomed and these figures show crime is down virtually across the board.

“I note in particular the 10 per cent decrease in assaults and 13 per cent fall in organised crime related offences.

?

Even though the breakdown of official statistics for 2012 confirmed Dublin as Ireland’s crime capital, with the highest rates for robberies, theft, drug, and fraud offences, Deputy Maloney pointed out that there had been a reduction in recent years.

“I especially welcome a consistent reduction in the Dublin region, where crime has reduced in the year 2011-2012 by 3.5 per cent and by 13.5 per cent for the period 2008-2012,

? he stated.

“This is testament to the good work of our gardai.

“Every crime is a blow to community life and to the lives of individuals, and the fall in crime is a welcome boost to communities.

?

He added:

“I urge people to report any crime, no matter how small, so that the gardai can maintain an accurate picture of crime and its effect on our community.

?

However, in one Southside suburb there has been a call for an emergency summit of relevant agencies to address serious local tensions.

Deputy Sean Crowe (SF) called for a meeting of all local agencies, including the gardai, community organisations and TDs, to be convened by South Dublin County Council to prevent residents in a part of Tallaght being terrorised by

“running gang battles

?.

“A rise in criminality and gangs running around at will are angering local communities and causing real fear for families,

? he stated.